Pinkerton Acquires Two Security Companies

Pinkerton Inc. in Westlake Village has reached an agreement to acquire American Protective Services, based in Oakland, and First Security Services Corp. of Boston. Both companies are privately owned.

Pinkerton said that with the agreements it will become the leader in the U.S. security services market with revenues of about $1.5 billion and more than 57,000 employees. The acquisition of both companies is expected to be completed in early January.

“The acquisition of two of the strongest security companies in the U.S. today is a powerful growth opportunity and will greatly enhance our ability to deliver an exceptional level of service to our clients well into the new decade,” said Pinkerton President Don Walker.

American Protective Services is the nation’s largest privately held security company with about $400 million in revenues and more than 17,000 employees in 79 offices throughout the United States, including one in Canada.

First Security is one of the largest security companies in the northeastern United States with about $140 million in revenues, 5,500 employees and operations from Maine to Virginia.

Dwight S. Pedersen, APS president and chief executive, and Robert F. Johnson, First Security president and chief executive, will continue with Pinkerton as executive vice presidents.